DEPUTY Prime Minister and Finance Minister Prof Biman Prasad says he is absolutely dumbfounded by the “outrageous lies” peddled by former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
On Wednesday Mr Sayed-Khaiyum attacked Prof Prasad for “misleading the public about Fiji’s economic state”.
He criticised the current Government for withdrawing a number of social welfare services, which he claims have negatively impacted ordinary Fijians.
“A lot more people are being struck off of the pension scheme,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“You’re now having to pay for school fees, education, which you never did pay before when you’re completely free education.
“So the ordinary working class people of this country is being socked from all sides.”
In a pointed response, Prof Prasad described the claims as baseless and accused Mr Sayed-Khaiyum of fearmongering.
“His ego doesn’t allow him to show a little humility and admit the mess he left behind,” Prof Prasad told this newspaper.
“No one in the country is paying school fees. That’s a complete lie.”
Prof Prasad said the Government has not withdrawn free education or social welfare programs, labelling the former A-G’s remarks as “outrageous lies” intended to mislead the public.
He cited the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s recent report to counter Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s critique of the country’s economic trajectory, pointing out that reforms implemented in 2023-2024 were yielding positive results.
“The Reserve Bank’s report clearly states that consumption activity picked up remarkably well last year, and GDP growth has been revised upward from 2.8 per cent to 3.8 per cent,” he said.
Prof Prasad also took the opportunity to highlight the Coalition Government’s efforts to promote press freedom, contrasting it with the previous government’s media policies under Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.
“You see, the problem with him is that he still thinks he has the media under his control.
“The draconian media decree that terrorised journalists and media organisations has been repealed as a priority under this Government.
“Today, he himself is a beneficiary of a free media, yet he continues to lie.”
